Obed Vargas

Youth career Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Vargas began his career with Cook Inlet Soccer Club; he also traveled to Arizona to play in youth tournaments where he was later scouted. He moved to Washington and joined the youth academy for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC at the age of 14. Two days later, he made his senior debut for Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship against LA Galaxy II. Vargas started and played 66 minutes as the match ended in a 1–1 draw.

He made his MLS debut for Seattle on July 22, 2021, as one of several Tacoma Defiance players called up to the Sounders for a match against Austin FC to replace injured players. At 15 years and 351 days old, Vargas was the third-youngest player in MLS history. He was an early substitute in the second leg of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final, which the Sounders won 3–0 at home.

Vargas made 13 appearances through late June, when a stress facture in his back prevented him from continuing with the team. He was also unable to join the under-20 national team in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Vargas returned for the 2023 season but played in few matches, including only 24 minutes in the MLS Cup playoffs. He regained the starting position in midfield for the 2024 season and scored his first career MLS goal on April 30, 2024, against the Philadelphia Union, in a match that was originally started a month earlier but postponed due to heavy rain. Vargas played over 3,000 minutes for the Sounders in the 2024 season and was ranked seventh in the MLS 22 Under 22 list at the end of the regular season. He was suspended for the first match of the 2024 playoffs after receiving two yellow card in a match against the Portland Timbers.

During the 2025 regular season, Vargas started in 26 matches and finished second on the team in minutes played. He was a starter for Seattle's three matches in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage and played for the team's entire 2025 Leagues Cup run, where the Sounders won the title. Vargas was also a finalist for the 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year Award. He had rejected an earlier offer from Club América of Liga MX to pursue a career in the European leagues. Vargas previously stated that Atlético Madrid had been his favorite team as a child; he also played against them in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. He made his debut for Atlético as a substitute in the 79th minute of a Copa del Rey quarterfinal match against Real Betis. He recorded his first goal contribution for Atlético Madrid on May 2nd 2026, providing an assist in a 2–0 victory over Valencia.

International career

Youth Vargas was eligible to represent both Mexico and the United States at the international level. In March 2020, Vargas was selected to participate in the United States national under-15 team camp. He was called up by the United States national under-20 team in January 2022.

On May 21, 2024, Vargas completed a one-time switch from the United States to Mexico. On August 29, Vargas was called up to the Mexico national under-23 team ahead of two friendlies against the Panama national under-23 team scheduled for September 6 and 10.

In 2025, Vargas was called up by coach Eduardo Arce to represent Mexico at the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Chile.

Senior Upon completing his FIFA one-time switch, in early October 2024, Vargas receives his first call-up, by Javier Aguirre, to the senior national team for October 11 and 15 for friendly matches against Spanish club Valencia CF and the United States respectively. Vargas is the first Alaskan to ever play for a national team. On October 15, Vargas makes his senior Mexico debut entering in the 83rd minute for Jesús Angulo in a friendly match against the United States, which Mexico won 2–0.

Vargas was named in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted on home soil. He was one of two U.S.-born players on the squad, along with Illinois-born Brian Gutiérrez.

Personal life

Vargas is of Mexican descent, with his parents hailing from Michoacán, and holds dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship. He is set to receive Spanish citizenship during 2026, being eligible due to his mother holding Spanish citizenship. His father played for the youth academy of Monarcas Morelia; his younger brother and two sisters also play football.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Seattle Sounders FC CONCACAF Champions League: 2022 Leagues Cup: 2025 Atlético Madrid Copa del Rey runner-up: 2025–26

Individual MLS All-Star: 2025 IFFHS Men's Youth (U20) CONCACAF Best XI: 2025